Former player and Chelsea legend Frank Lampard has labelled goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario’s inability to deal with set-piece deliveries as a big weakness for Tottenham Hotspur.
Vicario has struggled with handling corners in his time at North London, and oppositions have noticed it. Against Aston Villa, Morgan Rogers marked him tightly during corners, and the keeper looked uncomfortable in those situations. This tactic worked, with Rogers capitalising on Vicario and the Spurs players’ inability to clear the ball to give Villa the lead from a corner.
Frank Lampard was unimpressed with Vicario and stated that the keeper must work on his positioning and handling during set pieces. He rarely comes off the line and looks unconvincing when dealing with the ball.
“I just felt the goalkeeper allowed himself to be so unbalanced through the movement of it. He will understand that he will be getting it in every game now. People are going to get in your way, so Tottenham, it’s certainly a weakness that they haven’t quite put right.” Lampard said.
“Vicario, not the most dominant of goalkeepers. Doesn’t come off his line. It’s a flat delivery to the near post, Spurs don’t deal with it. Vicario getting involved with Rogers on the line, distracted by him. Does make a decent save but Rogers has the simplest of tasks, tapping in from two yards.”
Tottenham Hotspur mounted a brilliant second-half comeback
While it was a disappointing goal to concede, it was thankfully not decisive, with Tottenham mounting a big comeback in the second half to win 4-1. Brennan Johnson got the leveller in the 49th minute before a quick-fire Dominic Solanke gave the hosts a two-goal advantage. James Maddison added a fourth in stoppage time with a delightful freekick.
Vicario has started every league game he has been available for since joining Spurs last summer. Although the keeper needs to be more confident dealing with set-pieces, the 28-year-old has been great otherwise. He’s good in possession and is a fantastic shot-stopper. Ange Postecoglou and his coaching staff will work with Vicario over the next few weeks to eliminate the major weakness in his game.
